North Brookfield Block Grant hearing scheduled

By Ruth M. Lyon Turley Publications Reporter   rlyon@turley.com

NORTH BROOKFIELD - The board of selectmen will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the senior center. The purpose of the hearing is to receive input on possible activities for the FY10 Community Development Black Grant, funded through the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development. The program revision activities may include infrastructure, public facilities, housing rehabilitation, public social services, creation of affordable housing, and/or planning activities.

Selectman Mary Walter says that in accordance with the town’s commitment to provide programs what reflect the needs of the community, all persons or organizations wishing to be heard will be afforded the opportunity to provide comment, and are strongly encouraged to attend.

Such grants have, in the past been granted for a number of town projects, including the Duncan building and the police station, now nearing completion. In September, Tim Hansen, associate planner for the Central Mass Regional Planning Commission met with the board of selectmen to discuss the possibility of applying for a “slum and blight” grant. Earlier, the board had taken the initial steps toward obtaining a brownfields assessment grant for the town house. Other such projects will be considered in the future, according

to the community development strategy approved Tuesday night. The board stresses the importance of the public’s participation in program planning and development.

According to Hansen, an important aspect of obtaining such grants is the public’s interest and participation. The building is handicapped accessible; those needing assistance should The board received a letter from the New Braintree Board of Selectmen to a meeting Monday, January 11, to discuss with New Braintree and Barre officials the possibility of sharing engineering costs for preparing of  repair on Route 67. Chair Jason Petraitis said he plans to attend the meeting.